What other biblical examples show blessings from following God's commands? A clear instruction, a promised outcome – Judges 13:13 “So the angel of the LORD answered Manoah, ‘Your wife must do everything I told her.’” • The command: abstain from wine, strong drink, and unclean food. • The blessing: God would raise up Samson to begin saving Israel from the Philistines (13:5). Scripture repeatedly pairs such obedience with unmistakable favor. Below are further snapshots of that pattern. Early Genesis—rescue and global blessing • Noah obeys every detail of ark-building (Genesis 6:22; 7:5); God preserves his family and every land creature. • Abraham offers Isaac; God promises, “Through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:18) Exodus to Deuteronomy—national protection and provision • Passover night: Israel applies lamb’s blood exactly as instructed (Exodus 12:28); every firstborn in Israel lives. • At Sinai and beyond: “All these blessings will come upon you … if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2) The list that follows includes fruitful fields, strong families, and victory in battle. Conquest and settlement—success tied to careful obedience • Jericho’s walls fall because Israel marches, shouts, and waits exactly as told (Joshua 6:15-20). • Joshua hears, “Then you will prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8) when he keeps the Law on his lips. Wisdom books—everyday life flourishes • Psalm 1 paints the obedient as a fruitful tree that “prospers in all he does.” • Proverbs 3:1-2 links keeping God’s commands with “length of days and years of life and peace.” Prophets—deliverance during droughts and wars • Widow of Zarephath obeys Elijah; flour and oil never run out (1 Kings 17:13-16). • Naaman dips seven times per Elisha’s word; his skin is restored (2 Kings 5:14). • Malachi 3:10: bringing the tithe opens “the windows of heaven” for overflowing blessing. Jesus’ ministry—instant, tangible rewards • Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5); water becomes choice wine. • Peter casts nets at Jesus’ word; “they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear” (Luke 5:6). • Ten lepers obey the instruction to show themselves to the priests; on the way, they are healed (Luke 17:14). Early church—growth, deliverance, and guidance • Apostles keep preaching despite threats; an angel frees them from prison (Acts 5:19). • Philip obeys the Spirit’s nudge toward the desert road; an Ethiopian official believes and is baptized, the gospel leaps toward Africa (Acts 8:26-39). • Peter follows the angel’s commands step by step; iron gates open and he walks out of maximum security (Acts 12:7-10). The enduring principle “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. … I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” (John 14:21) Obedience remains the doorway through which God’s people experience protection, provision, revelation, and impact—just as Manoah’s family discovered in Judges 13. |
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